Top 10 Family Friendly Activities on Maui

Maui is a tropical paradise but many are surprised to find that it is a great place for family vacations. The magic of Maui is not limited to adults and couples. Parents will find plenty of activities available to keep the kids happy and make their Maui family vacation memorable. If you are planning a family get-a-way to Maui make sure you add a few of these places below to your itinerary.

No Maui vacation is complete without experiencing a luau. The luau is the traditional Hawaiian celebration. Younger children w

ill be captivated with the entertainment provided by hula dancers and musicians. Some, but not all, luaus include fire-dancers. Traditional luau food provides kids with the chance to try new dishes like Poi, Chicken Luau and Hawaiian sweet potatoes. Old Lahaina Luau is considered the most authentic luau on Maui but families with younger children may find the luaus hosted by Maui hotels to be a bit more kid (and budget) friendly.

The village of Lahaina is a great place for families to spend the day on Maui. Lahaina, Maui was declared the capital of the Hawaiian kingdom in 1843. Later, Lahaina was regarded as the whaling capital of the world. Today Lahaina mixes the old with the new. The streets are lined with stores and small boutiques selling everything a Maui visitor might want. The Old Courthouse and the ruins of the Old Fort remain for visitors to see. Among the most memorable sights in Maui is the Banyan tree growing in the Courthouse Square. Planted in 1873, the Banyan tree is now so large that it shades nearly an acre of the square. The 12 major aerial roots of the Banyan tree have created what appears to be a jungle but is, in reality, one large tree. Lahaina offers something for Maui visitors of any age and interest.

While in Lahaina, visitors to Maui may want to check out the Atlantis Submarine Tour. This 105-minute tour includes a submarine voyage to a depth of 100-ft below the surface. Unless your family is SCUBA certified you'll find no better way to view the depths below. While not for visitors with very young children (minimum height is 36" tall), the submarine tour is a truly unique way to explore Maui.

Train fanatics will enjoy the Lahaina Kaanapali Railroad tour. The Sugar Cane train, as it is commonly known, is an open-air coach car pulled by a steam engine. Passengers learn the history of Maui from storytellers during their six-mile ride. Passage over the 325-foot curved wooden trestle provides an awe-inspiring view of the islands neighboring Maui and the mountains of West Maui. Older children may find the trip a bit boring.

More about the agricultural history of Maui can be learned at the Maui Tropical Plantation. This 40-minute tram tour of a 60-acre plantation describes how macadamia nuts, pineapple, sugarcane and other products are grown and help the economy of Maui. The nearby Alexander & Baldwin Sugar Mill Museum tells more about the sugarcane story on Maui.

The magic and mystery of Maui is wrapped up in the beauty of the natural landscape. Haleakala National Park on Maui provides an opportunity for children to learn about a variety of ecosystems. The 10,000-foot summit of Haleakala is cold enough to have a dusting of snow despite the subtropical climate of Maui. A journey from the summit to the beach takes only a matter of a few hours but takes visitors through every climate in-between. The bicycle ride down Haleakala is a very difficult course and should not be attempted by younger children or novice cyclists.

The Hawaii Nature Center on Maui is another great location for families to enjoy the beauty of Maui. Located in the Iao Valley the Nature Center provides an excellent view of the Iao Needle, another of those unforgettable images of Maui. The more than 30 interactive exhibits and guided rainforest walks are a hit with kids of all ages.

The beauty of Maui doesn't end at the beach. The water surrounding Maui is an underwater showcase. The Maui Ocean Center is a must-do for every visitor, especially those with children. The Maui Ocean Center was voted Hawaii's Top-Rated Family Attraction. Touch-pools get children actively involved in learning about new creatures. The highlight of the Maui Ocean Center is the glass tunnel that leads into a 750,000 tropical aquarium where sea creatures, including sharks swim overhead.

Maui is the winter home of the migrating Pacific Humpback whale. Visitors to Maui during the winter will be amazed at the easy viewing of large numbers of these giants. January through April are peak viewing months and the largest numbers of whales gather at Maalaea Bay during this time. Whale watching is free from the island but for a more close-up encounter many families choose to take a whale-watching boat tour while in Maui.

Visitors to Maui during the rest of the year can learn more about whales at the Whalers Village Museum. The museum exhibits cover over seventy species of whales. Children are amazed at the size of the skeletal remains of 40-foot Sperm Whale. Best of all, Whalers Village Museum is free.

Maui offers diverse activities for all visitors and parents will be pleasantly surprised at the great wealth of educations and fun activities their family can enjoy together.